A SCHOOLGIRL took the plunge and crossed the English Channel... in the safety of Weymouth Swimming Pool.

Sophie Moore, 12, swam the distance of the Channel at its shortest point by completing more than 1,400 lengths of the town pool.

She was inspired to undertake the challenge after a close relative was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sophie has raised more than £2,300 for a breast cancer charity with more money still to be collected.

The swim was undertaken in stages with the final leg completed last night.

Sophie, who is in Year Eight at Budmouth College, began swimming the 22 miles on Thursday.

She said: “I’m overjoyed to have raised so much and want to thank everyone that has donated so far as well as my swimming teachers and all my friends and family.

“I found out someone very special to me had been diagnosed with breast cancer and I wanted to do something about it.

“The money raised will go to help other people and that’s why I wanted to do it.”

Her mum Sarah added: “Sophie has been smiling the whole way through the swim and is incredibly dedicated. On Sunday night she was swimming from 8.30pm until 5am.

“She has been overwhelmed and inspired with all the support from her friends, family and swimming coaches who all joined in to swim alongside her for a while during the challenge.

“Sophie finished the last two miles of the swim on Monday and we’re so incredibly proud of her.

“She wants to do this to help Against Breast Cancer, a charity that works very hard to improve detection and increase survival after diagnosis of breast cancer.”

Charity director of Against Breast Cancer, Wendy Taylor Hill, congratulated Sophie.

She added: “We think Sophie is amazing. Swimming 22 miles is a challenge at any age but at 12 years old it’s fantastic.

“A very big thank you to her for raising more than £2000. Every £1 she has raised will support dedicated research into breast cancer with the aim of improving detection and increasing survival after diagnosis.”

To support Sophie, visit justgiving.com/sophie-moore12